The Cleveland Indians will square off against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Fox Sports Kansas City will be televising the action and the game is scheduled to get underway at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Kansas City Royals vs. Cleveland Indians Odds
Cleveland (-315) is the huge favorite against Kansas City (+260) and Vegas has set the Over/Under for this afternoon’s game at 9 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total currently stand at -105 for the over and -115 for the under. The game’s current runline odds stand at +125 for taking the Royals +1.5 runs and -145 for the Indians -1.5.
The Indians are 76-54 straight up (SU) and 70-59 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 3.6 units for moneyline bettors and 10.0 units ATS. Cleveland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the under has hit in four of those seven. The Royals, on the other hand, have gone 45-85 SU this year and are 59-70 against the spread. In total, the team’s lost 25.1 units for moneyline bettors and 24.4 units ATS. Kansas City has covered the spread just twice over its last seven games and the under has cashed in six of those seven.
Indians games have an over/under record of 56-69-4 in 2019. Kansas City has an over/under record of 59-62-8.
Southpaw Eric Skoglund is projected to start for the visiting Royals. Skoglund has yet to pitch in the majors this season.
The Indians are turning to righty Shane Bieber (12-6, 3.26 ERA), who’s got 207 strikeouts and 34 walks, along with a WHIP of 1.00. Bieber is 1-0 with 12 strikeouts and a 5.73 ERA over two starts against Kansas City this year.
Cleveland’s pitchers have yielded 4.0 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starters have a 3.84 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 9.0 K/9. In 56 games against AL Central foes, Indians starters have an ERA of 3.81 and the bullpen’s ERA is 2.74.
The Cleveland offense is putting up 4.7 runs per outing, including 4.9 per game against divisional foes and 2.6 per game over its last five. The team has a slash-line of .210/.266/.338 over its last five matchups and is 2-3 SU during that span.
The Indians’ hitters have been led by shortstop Francisco Lindor and first baseman Carlos Santana. Lindor is slashing .297/.350/.515 with 22 home runs, 55 RBIs, 75 runs and 18 steals, and Santana is batting .289 with 30 homers, 79 RBIs and 91 runs scored.
In the visiting dugout, Kansas City’s pitchers have allowed 5.2 runs per game and its starters own a 5.11 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 7.44 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.82, along with a K/9 of 8.50.
Royals hitters have slashed .242/.307/.395 on their way to 4.2 runs scored per game in 2019, including 4.6 runs per game against divisional foes and 2.0 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Second baseman Whit Merrifield and outfielder Alex Gordon continue to lead Kansas City’s hitters. Merrifield is slashing .299/.350/.475 with 15 home runs, 65 RBIs, 85 runs and 16 steals, while Gordon (.262/.335/.403) has produced 12 homers, 63 RBIs and 66 runs scored.
The Royals have lost 20.9 units and are 42-52 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 44 of those games, compared to 46 that’ve gone under against right-handed starting pitchers. On the other hand, the Indians have netted 4.5 units and are 25-17 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher. The over’s hit in 25 of those games, compared to 17 that’ve gone under.
Royals vs. Indians MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Indians, ATS Winner – Royals, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- Kansas City has tallied six extra-base hits over its last five games. Cleveland has 11 XBH over its last five.
- The Royals have hit three home runs in their last 10 games, including three over their last five.
- The Royals have a team OPS of .701 this season and an OPS of .708 against right-handed pitchers. The Indians’ OPS stands at .759 overall and .764 against righties.
- Kansas City has recorded 13.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 14.4 over its last five.
- The Royals have dropped six of their last seven games SU.
